KAILUA-KONA — The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole will get $10 million to go toward an aircraft rescue and firefighting training facility.
KAILUA-KONA — The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole will get $10 million to go toward an aircraft rescue and firefighting training facility.
The grant money comes as part of a total $24.1 million in funds coming to state airports from the Federal Aviation Administration for improvement projects.
DOT spokesperson Tim Sakahara said the new facility is a “very big opportunity” for emergency responders.
The new facility will be available for not just aircraft rescue and firefighters around the state but also county and federal firefighters.
“And even firefighters around the Pacific Basin and world really could come in and use it and train as well,” he said.
In May, the state House of Representatives approved $88.4 million for a slate of improvements at the airport, which included funds for an aircraft rescue and fire fighting command center. That also included funding for a new agriculture inspection station, a federal inspection station and other improvements.
In July, a separate grant worth $864,162 was announced for the acquisition of an aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle, according to an FAA grant report.
The $24.1 million coming to the state also includes $12 million for the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Kalaeloa Airport on Oahu will get $2.1 million. A statement from the Hawaii Department of Transportation said the amount of funding airports receive is based on activity levels and funding needs.
Some day it will probably happen . Hopefully included in this KOA aircraft rescue and firefighting training facility is included a large direct ocean access rescue ramp at Keahole Point . If an aircraft ever has to put down in the water upon take-off , currently , most people will die and any rescue will be almost impossible. Think of it ; the nearest boat launch ramp , and a small one at that , is all the way down at Honokohau Harbor . It offers zero chance of immediate or even quick response . Zero. It would be an hour before the Hawaii Co. Fire Department could assist with anything . The Coast Guard > They are not even stationed in Hilo anymore . What is needed is a large dedicated ramp , with one or two powerful rescue boats stationed on trailers in an awning covered area . In addition , a series of large , heavy duty pontoon rafts , which could be quickly hooked up to the launched vessel and dragged out of their per-postioned locations , there to be quickly powered out to the site of the aircraft down . These rescue rafts would save lives . A mere boat or two is not nearly enough if one of these commercial flights ever goes in . Here’s the kicker : the authorities at the airport have already scenarioed the entire possibly and know they would be completely unable to effectively respond . This is the perfect time to address this issue . So may commercial flights take off over the water here . We must be ready . Or a lot of people will die . Needlessly .
Good points. Even if by chance a boat is in the water at the harbor, it takes a while to get north, at least at the speeds most boats capable of doing rescue.
As it is, possibly having having a fishing boat in the area is about the only chance they have. Nobody on that boat would likely know about ditched plane rescue.
Good lights, decent size deck, hoist to bring struggling people up, etc. Lots of flotation bags to help the plane float for a while, and probably a lot more.
Not a trivial task.
It all starts with cutting and paving a good sized ramp into the ocean at Keahole point . Not a public access ramp , an emergency only ramp . It may never get used , but if it is ever needed , it will make ALL the difference . Minutes will count . Rescue personnel and volunteers could access straight from the airport and NELHA . No screwing around with Honokohau or the Kona roads .
It is unacceptable that rescue personnel have zero access to the ocean at Keahole Point , given the location and constant aviation activity at Kona Airport . In addition , Civil Defense does not even have a tsunami siren at Kona Airport , or NELHA . What the heck is up with that !?
I suspect purpose built craft are made for this task, and are not simple boat trailer launch stuff.
No tsunami siren? Mebbe think all the planes can just take off and orbit around or fly elsewhere?
Logic and thought are in very short supply in Hawaii. Emotion rules…………